The Kansas Department of Corrections plans to add space for 640 inmates at the state's maximum-security prison outside El Dorado.
Director of Capital Improvements Michael Gaito discussed the department's plans Wednesday with the Kansas Legislature's Joint Committee on State Building Construction.
The department has two major projects planned at El Dorado, with a potential total cost of nearly $38 million dollars.
Gaito says projected increases in the state's inmate population are driving the plans.
One project would add two new housing units for over 500 inmates by July 2016.
The other would add a new mental health unit for 128 inmates by July 2019.